CHICAGO — Chicagoans can kick off the first weekend of August at a South Side jazz fest, country music and BBQ fest or a huge LGBTQ-friendly fest.
Here are a 10 things to do in the city this weekend:
Market Days
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Halsted Street from Belmont to Addison
This huge annual LGBTQ-friendly festival returns this weekend with performers Ginger Minj, Matteo Lane, Anastacia and more. There’s a $15 suggest donation at the door.
Windy City Smokeout
Gates open 2 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
United Center, 1901 W. Madison St.
This annual barbecue and music festival will feature live music performances from county artists, including Tim McGraw and Miranda Lambert, as well as barbecue from 20 of the world’s best pitmasters and more. Tickets for Friday and Sunday are still available online here.
Back Alley Jazz
Noon-7 p.m. Saturday
In the 7200-7300 blocks of Paxton Avenue and in the 7400 block of Oglesby Avenue
Outdoor jazz on the South Side returns with a “mega-party” this weekend to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The free festival will have live jazz performances, food, vendors and more Saturday on a few blocks of Paxton and Oglesby Avenues.
Chicago Brewing District’s Dancing in the Streets
5-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Hubbard Street between Paulina and Wood
This craft beer and live music event features local restaurants, food trucks, food vendors, West Town retail vendors, local artists and more. Enjoy “hot jams and cold brews” for a suggested $10 donation.
Hegewisch Fest
11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday
13301 S. Baltimore Ave.
A neighborhood celebration for one of the city’s southernmost communities is back this weekend with food from local businesses, activities, clowns, a crafters’ market and more. There will be live music from bands popular on the Southeast Side.
Old Irving Park Beer & BBQ Challenge
1-5 p.m. Saturday
St. Viator School & Parish, 3644 N. Kedvale Ave.
The challenge at St. Viator’s parking lot will return this weekend for its ninth and final time to showcase food and brews from 16 teams of pitmasters and craft brewers.
Bucktown Shuffleboard Tournament
Varying times Saturday and Sunday
The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, 1750 N. Milwaukee Ave.
A shuffleboard club in Bucktown is welcoming more than 100 players from around the United States this weekend for a nationally sanctioned tournament, the first of its kind in Chicago. It’s open to anyone 21 and older who wants to stop by and watch.
Live On Logan
1-3 p.m. Sunday
Palmer Square Park, 3040 W. Palmer Square
Bassist and composer Marcel Bonfim will showcase his Brazilian musical upbringing, performing rich Brazilian Jazz compositions and cover arrangements.
LatiNxt
2-11:30 p.m. Saturday, 2-8 p.m. Sunday
Beer Garden and Polk Bros Park Lake Stage, 600 E. Grand Ave.
This music festival is returning to Navy Pier for its fifth annual celebration of modern Latin music and arts. The free two-day event features a variety of music from the Latin American diaspora and an array of artisan vendors.
Lawndale Arts Fest
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday
Douglass Park Field House, 1401 S. Sacramento Drive
This free West Side arts fest will bring artists and entrepreneurs together for a day of performance, visual, literal and culinary arts.
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